Application Deadline
December 6, 2024
Butler Philharmonic Orchestra
Selected Soloists will be presented at the colORCHESTRA concert with the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra in Hamilton, Ohio, on the banks of the Great Miami River, at the Sorg Opera House or another of the Orchestra’s venues, under the baton of the Music Director Maestro Scott Woodard.
Concert dates – 2024-25 and 2025-26 concert seasons.
Rehearsals with the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra will be scheduled 3 days prior to the concert date.
The concert will be Broadcast Live by Virtual Concert Halls on various public channels on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Twitch, among other platforms.
Video of the concert will be available for playbacks on the channels.
Soloists will participate in interviews for media and other activities associated with the event.
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Important dates: Application deadline - see dates on the website.
October 2024, January 2025 - Live Auditions Finals. Broadcast on video and social platforms. Meet the Judges and the Conductors. Streaming technology seminar in preparation for Live Audition - prior to performing LIVE.
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No age restrictions.
Any instrumental Concerto, a single movement, or Aria accepted.
Meet the Orchestra
The Butler Philharmonic has been entertaining audiences for over 60 years! The Butler Philharmonic performs music of every form and genre at indoor and outdoor venues across the region. Founded in 1951 as the Hamilton Symphony by Drs. Fred Baumgartner, Kurt Lande, and Joseph Bein, as well as Frances Tidings, Harry Carroll, and Al Sutphin, the Butler Philharmonic has remained dedicated to outstanding and uncommon programming. For more than 60 years, our community has thrilled to the sounds of international guest artists, the finest musical talent in the region, and renowned conductors.
The 75 member professional Butler Philharmonic Orchestra typically presents 4 to 5 concerts annually to packed houses. The Butler Philharmonic Chorus, formed in 1997, made its debut at the first Ohio Mozart Festival in 1997. In 2005, the Chorus performed under the baton of noted English composer John Rutter in Carnegie Hall. In 2018 the Chorus returned to Carnegie Hall to perform Maestro Paul John Stanbery’s own Music for Mass.
Meet the Conductor
Scott E. Woodard is the music director of the West Virginia State Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly known as the Charleston Chamber Orchestra) and the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Woodard’s primary teachers were Dr. Leonid Korchmar of the Mariinsky Theatre and the St. Petersburg Conservatory and Dr. Oleg Proskurnya, with whom he studied the methods of the Leningrad School of Conducting developed and taught by Maestro Ilya Musin at the Leningrad Conservatory from 1932-1999.In 2005 and 2011, Woodard conducted orchestras of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society and the Mariinsky Theatre in concerts throughout the former Russian capitol. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Conductor’s Guild and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity.
Application and Audition Process
Application form is DUE by the posted DEADLINES throughout the season.
Upload video of any piece (with or without accompaniment). YouTube or Google Drive links are accepted
Application fee $75
Selected musicians will be invited to audition live on a public Internet TV Broadcast* and will receive a preparation tech session with VCHS Broadcast Engineers.
You will meet the Judges during Live Audition.
Live Auditions are held virtually.
Live Auditions are judged in real time.
Judges provide participants with immediate on-air feedback.
During the live audition participants will be able to speak with Judges.
• The judges’ decisions are final and may not be contested.
• To participate in the live online auditions, each musician must prepare required technical setup
Live Audition Fee - $250
*Fee includes the Technology Preparation session with A/V and Broadcast engineers
You will be notified about your acceptance into the colORCHESTRA program
Fees
Application and video pre-screening - $75
Live Audition - $250
Performance - NO FEE ($0)
Selected soloists are expected to cover their own travel expenses.
Upon request colORCHESTRA provides supporting documentation for selected soloists' visa applications.
Selected soloists may request press releases, letters of recommendation, confirmations of their participation in the concert, in support of the soloist's grants applications.
Butler Philharmonic Orchestra's Venues
Sorg Opera House
Founded in 1951 as the Hamilton Symphony by Drs. Fred Baumgartner, Kurt Lande, and Joseph Bein, as well as Frances Tidings, Harry Carroll, and Al Sutphin, the Butler Philharmonic has remained dedicated to outstanding and uncommon programming. For more than 60 years, our community has thrilled to the sounds of international guest artists, the finest musical talent in the region, and renowned conductors.
The 75 member professional Butler Philharmonic Orchestra typically presents 4 to 5 concerts annually to packed houses. The Butler Philharmonic Chorus, formed in 1997, made its debut at the first Ohio Mozart Festival in 1997. In 2005, the Chorus performed under the baton of noted English composer John Rutter in Carnegie Hall. In 2018 the Chorus returned to Carnegie Hall to perform Maestro Paul John Stanbery’s own Music for Mass.
From 1994 until his retirement in 2019, Maestro Paul John Stanbery led the Butler Philharmonic to new heights. During his 25-year tenure as Music Director and Principle Conductor he helped transform Hamilton Symphony from a simple community orchestra, performing only once or twice a year, to the multi-faceted organization it is today.
1997 Paul became conductor of the Youth Orchestra, which was under the auspices of the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. The Youth Orchestra was transferred to the Butler Philharmonic organization in 2005.
During Paul’s tenure, the Guild started – a sister support group that promotes music thru scholarships, funded by snack sales at BP concerts, and social fund-raising events such as the Party of Note and more.
The historic Sorg Opera House
The historic Sorg Opera House is located in the heart of revitalized downtown Middletown. The theater is within walking distance from bustling entertainment, breweries, and bars allowing you turn your trip to the Sorg Theater into a whole day of fun.
SORG aims to provide programming and services that make an essential contribution to the cultural economy, economic revitalization, education, and quality of life of Middletown, Ohio and its region.
Our Mission:
To become a center for, and partner in, the greater cultural, historical and economic communities of Middletown and the region
Check out Middletown’s daily activities, or spend the day shopping at unique, locally owned retail shops just a few streets over.
Looking for a delicious meal pre-show, or a drink after a concert? The theater is complete surrounded by great spirits, dinning, and lodging.
